Jon Faddis
Jon Faddis is a complete and consummate musician – conductor,
composer, and educator. Marked by both intense integrity and humor, Faddis
earned accolades from his close friend and mentor John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie,
who declared of Faddis, "He’s the best ever, including me!" As
a trumpeter, Faddis possesses a virtually unparalleled range and full command
of his instrument, making the practically impossible seem effortless. Time
Out New York (2003) praises Faddis as "the world’s greatest trumpeter … brash
soloistic logic and breathtaking technical acuity." Born in 1953, Faddis
began playing at age eight, inspired by an appearance by Louis Armstrong on
television. Meeting Dizzy Gillespie at 15 proved to be a pivotal beginning
of a unique friendship that spanned over three decades. Shortly after his 18th
birthday, Faddis joined Lionel Hampton’s band, moving from Oakland, CA
to New York. Faddis worked as lead trumpet for the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra
at the Village Vanguard, formed his own quartet, and soon began directing orchestras,
including the GrammyTM –winning United Nation Orchestra, the Dizzy Gillespie
70th Birthday Big Band, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band (1992-2002), and the Jon
Faddis Jazz Orchestra (2003-present); the Chicago Jazz Ensemble recently named
Faddis as its Artistic Director, and Faddis will be conducting both the JFJO
and the CJE in the future. Faddis’ original compositions include the
Jazz opera Lulu Noire (1997) (named a "Top 10" pick by USA
Today);
others may be heard on his GrammyTM-nominated Remembrances (Chesky), Into
the Faddisphere (Epic), and Hornucopia (Epic). Faddis remains true to the tradition
of honoring mentors, teaching at the Conservatory of Music, Purchase College-SUNY,
where he is Artist-in-Residence, Professor and Director of Jazz Performance,
and regularly leading master classes and clinics worldwide.The Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra
The Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra – the Jazz Orchestra of New York – continues the mission and the legacy of its predecessor, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band. The CHJB’s legacy of artistic diversity, superbly adventuresome arrangements and musical preeminence stands firm. In 40-plus concerts during ten years at Carnegie Hall, the CHJB presented over 135 musicians, featured over 70 guest artists, and premiered works by over 35 different arrangers and composers. The CHJB, with Music Director Jon Faddis and produced by George Wein, regularly brought Jazz to full houses at Carnegie Hall’s 2800-seat Isaac Stern auditorium and around the world. These concerts aired on JazzSet with Branford Marsalis, and today, the JFJO continues to bring its exciting spirit and wonderful musicians to listeners all over.
Carnegie Hall is a registered trademark of the Carnegie Hall Corporation.
Jon Faddis is represented by Ed Keane & Associates (www.edkeane.com). © 2005.